18 FEBRUARY 2018

Burgin Returns To Philly

Unbeaten lightweight Anthony Burgin makes his first local start in 17 months when he takes on fellow-Philadelphian Ramon Ellis in a scheduled six-round lightweight contest on Friday evening, May 16, at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia.

The seven-bout program is first pro fight card at the 2300 Arena since Jan. 21, 2012, when then-unknown heavyweight prospect Bryant Jennings upset Maurice Byarm in a battle of undefeated Philadelphians to open the NBC Sports Network Fight Night series.

Formerly known as the ECW Arena, the New Alhambra and later the Asylum Arena, the 2300 Arena, located at Swanson & Ritner Streets in South Philadelphia, has undergone renovations and eventually will seat close to 1,700 spectators for boxing.

First fight May 16 is set for 7.30p.m. The card is being promoted by Peltz Boxing and BAM Boxing in association with SugarHouse Casino.

Burgin (left), 22, is 6-0, 1 K0, but has not boxed here since Dec. 8, 2012, when he earned a four-round decision over neighbor Kenneth Brown at McGonigle Hall on the campus of Temple University. Two months earlier, Burgin had turned pro with a first-round knockout overMilton Lopez, of Puerto Rico, at the National Guard Armory in Northeast Philadelphia.

Since those first two fights, Burgin has won four times in Atlantic City. In his last fight there April 12, he got off the canvas in the third round to pound out a unanimous six-round decision over another Philadelphia, Frank Trader.

Ellis, 31, is only 4-10-2, 2 K0s, but has pulled off a pair of shocking upsets: a six-round decision overTim Witherspoon, Jr., of Philadelphia; a first-round knockout over Samuel Quinones, of Reading, PA, and a pair of draws with Tyrone Luckey, of Middletown, NJ, and Frank Santos De Alba, of Reading.

Another six-round features 17-year-old Milton Santiago (right), of Philadelphia, against Steamin’ Josh Beeman, of Providence, RI.

Santiago is 4-0, 3 K0s, since turning pro earlier this year.

Beeman may be 5-16-3, 2 K0s, but last year upset unbeaten prospect Carlos Candelario, of Lawrence, MA.